A swimming pool can be a great addition to a large backyard. However, installing a swimming pool is far from being a DIY project. In most cities, you are not allowed to build a pool yourself, as construction must be supervised by a licensed builder to be considered code compliant. However, the installation process is similar, whether you are building a fiberglass, vinyl, or concrete pool. Start by choosing a suitable location for your new pool and determining its preferred shape and depth. Next, you need to hire a construction crew to excavate the area, add the necessary plumbing and electrical wiring, and finally pour the concrete or insert a waterproof liner before filling the pool.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Planning the Pool
Step 1. Get the necessary building permits
You may need a residential building permit in your city so that you can place a swimming pool on your property. You can usually apply for a residential building permit on the website of your local building and safety department.
- In addition to granting you permission to build a pool, the residential building permit describes the exact requirements and specifications for your new pool.
- Be sure to also check your neighborhood homeowners association guidelines before proceeding with the installation, as not all neighborhoods allow swimming pools.
- Some municipalities also require a separate electrical permit. However, the electrician you hire to take care of your pool's underground wiring can often apply for an electrical permit on your behalf.
Step 2. Choose a suitable area for the pool
Designate a part of your property that works best for your new pool. Pools are typically located in the backyards of most homes, but you could also move yours to the side if you have enough space to play.
- Think carefully where you are going to locate the pool. Installing a pool in certain areas will likely require you to add or remove other exterior features such as trees or fence sections, which will drive up the cost of the project.
- You may have a limited number of options regarding the overall dimensions of your pool, depending on where you decide to place it.
Step 3. Come up with a basic design for the pool
Think about how you want your new pool to look. Do you prefer a round, square or rectangular shape? How deep will it be? How many inputs and outputs will it have? All of these are considered important details that you should discuss with the contractor before starting the project.
- Most home pools come in standard sizes of 3 x 6 m (10 x 20 ft), 4, 6 x 9 m (15 x 30 ft), and 6 x 12 m (20 x 40 ft). In addition, they can be between 1, 2 and 4.6 m (4 and 15 feet) deep.
- Keep in mind that the more complex the design of your pool, the higher the total cost.
Step 4. Build the base of your pool with concrete to make sure it lasts
Most residential pools are finished with 1 of 3 surface materials: cast concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl. Concrete is the strongest and most durable, but also the most expensive. It tends to be the best option for large pools that are intended to be a permanent addition to the exterior of a home.
- If you expect your pool to receive heavy use, you can invest in a durable material like concrete to reduce the cost of repairs in the long run.
- A well-maintained concrete pool can also increase a home's resale value, in some cases.
Step 5. Purchase a molded fiberglass pool to make installation easier
Fiberglass pools are most often sold as one-piece pre-made shapes. This makes them very easy to install, as all the construction crew has to do after digging is lower them into place and backfill them around. Fiberglass also offers the best balance between durability and affordability.
For saltwater pools, you should use fiberglass or a vinyl liner, as salt can wear down concrete over time
Step 6. Go for a vinyl-lined pool if you want to spend less
Vinyl pool liners are essentially large, smooth sheets that are shaped to fit the contours of the entire pool. This is by far the most economical option to finish a pool at home. Its main drawback is that it wears out much faster than fiberglass and concrete.
- Another disadvantage of vinyl pool liner is that it tends to bubble, wrinkle, and peel off. This means that it may need regular adjustments to maintain its attractive appearance.
- A vinyl-lined pool will only cost you between $ 25,000 and $ 50,000 on average, compared to poured concrete, which can cost more than $ 80,000 to $ 100,000.
Step 7. Find a pool contractor to bring your vision to life
Do a search for pool contractor companies in your area and compare your options carefully. You should choose a professional who has a valid contractor's license, which means they are qualified to install swimming pools. The experience of building swimming pools for at least several years is also an advantage.
- Read reviews of owners who have employed the contractor in the past to get an idea of the type of work they do.
- The contractor you get to install your pool will charge you a separate fee for labor, so don't forget to include this payment in your initial budget.
Part 2 of 3: Create the Basic Structure
Step 1. Excavate the area
Once you have found a certified pool contractor, this person will begin marking and excavating the land in your chosen area. To do this, they will likely need a backhoe and other heavy machinery. Excavation is one of the most important parts of the construction process, as the proper installation of other pool components will depend on it being done correctly.
- The construction crew will enlist your help to make the property accessible to their crews.
- It is crucial that you have a residential building permit on file at this time. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging or digging up utility lines that you were not aware of.
Step 2. Flatten the soil at the bottom of the hole
Once the area has been excavated, the next step is to level what will become the pool floor as much as possible. This process involves covering the underside with a thick layer of washed gravel underlay, which is then raked and compressed until perfectly level.
There are a few different ways to level a pool. Some pools have flat bottoms, while others are built with sloping floors that establish a deep end and a shallow end. Be sure to tell your contractor what style you have in mind
Step 3. Mark the walls with steel brackets
With the soil excavated and the bottom surface level, you are now ready to begin forming the sides of the pool. The construction team will go around the circumference of the hole placing metal reinforcing bars and wooden boards. These materials are used to create shapes and provide support.
- Like the floor, it is important that the walls of the new pool are flat, level and aligned with each other.
- It may be necessary to find a separate steel subcontractor to frame the pool walls if the building contractor is not licensed or equipped to do so.
Step 4. Install all necessary plumbing fixtures
At this point, you should bring in a licensed plumbing expert to set up your pool's water filtration and circulation systems. This includes components such as the drain, skimmers, 2- and 3-way valves, and the main pump that are responsible for filling, emptying, and moving the water throughout the pool.
- Make sure you hire someone who has extensive experience working in pools - an inexperienced plumber could wreak havoc on your new pool even before it's finished.
- Keep in mind that plumbing systems may differ depending on the building codes where you live.
Step 5. Connect the pool to get electricity
Before lining the pool, an electrical contractor will need electrical power so that they can power the filtration system and any underwater lighting devices you want to include. This is another time when it is important to secure the services of a professional, as faulty wiring and water can be a dangerous combination.
- Ask your prime construction contractor for a recommendation of reliable electricians they have worked with in the past.
- Pool electrical safety is a major concern. Faulty wiring could increase the risk of electric shock among swimmers.
Part 3 of 3: Lining the Pool
Step 1. Pour the walls and floor if you are installing a concrete pool
With the plumbing and electrical installations in place, the construction team will use a mixer to cover the steel forms installed along the interior of the pool. These specialists will flatten and smooth the concrete by hand while it is still wet.
- For pools of different depths, it will be necessary to verify that the angle of inclination is consistent from one end to the other.
- Pool walls are usually finished with concrete blocks or shotcrete. Take some time to discuss the benefits of each option with your construction contractor.
Step 2. Have a professional install a fiberglass pool
Most fiberglass pools come in a one-piece construction. If you chose a fiberglass prefab pool for your patio, you should install it with a crane or similar equipment. The construction team will then fill the space around the pool with dirt or concrete.
In some cases, fiberglass liners are installed by spraying the material onto an existing frame rather than placing a pre-fabricated pool in one piece
Step 3. Fit a vinyl pool with a flexible liner
Vinyl siding can only be installed after the concrete base has been poured and dried for a full 1-2 days. Installers will unroll the vinyl sheet in one piece and roll it out to cover the entire internal surface of the pool. They will then join it together by securing the liner's built-in tack around the outside edges and inserting a suction nozzle to draw air between the liner and the pool walls.
- Before installing the liner, the construction crew should mark and cut holes for lights, skimmers, and any other accessories inside the pool.
- Vinyl siding is often fairly easy to install, although having the assistance of a professional will ensure that the installation is done correctly and efficiently.
Step 4. Fill the pool
With the build complete, all that's left to do is add water. Depending on how eager you are to take your first dip, you can run the water slowly using a hose connected to the house's water supply, or rent a truck to fill the pool in less time.
- Filling a pool with a single hose can take you all day (maybe even overnight). When renting a truck, the water will be distributed in the pool through multiple hoses to fill it much faster.
- While filling your new pool, you should check for leaks, if the plumbing is malfunctioning, or if the pool has other complications. If you discover a problem, contact the building contractor to schedule repairs before using the pool.
Step 5. Treat the pool with the necessary chemicals.
Use a home test kit to measure the pH of your pool water. Then add chlorine and other chemicals like shock treatments and algaecides as needed to keep the pool at the recommended levels for safe swimming. The ideal pH for pool water is between 7, 4 and 7, 6, or just above the neutral level.
- You can get a water test kit anywhere that sells pool supplies.
- The exact amount of chlorine you will need will depend on the volume of your pool. If you're not sure how much to add, you can contact a pool maintenance company for help.
- If you plan to have a saltwater pool, you should add the salt (along with the correct proportions of other chemicals) after filling the pool.
Advice
- Always keep the pool covered out of season when you are not using it. This will keep it clean and protect it from damage as a result of exposure to the elements.
- Once the pool is finished, it will be up to you to take care of the cleaning, chlorination and general maintenance, unless you decide to hire a professional pool service.
- Consider taking additional safety measures beyond local building codes. For example, it may be a good idea to build an enclosure around the pool if you have small children or pets, or to use buoy ropes, multiple ladders, or other features for non-strong swimmers.
- Take the time to research the various coating, plumbing and filtration options available to you before finalizing plans for your new pool.